Hillforts

Hillforts are fortified settlements located on elevated ground, usually on hilltops or ridges. They date chiefly to the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, with the greatest concentrations in Great Britain and Ireland, though similar sites occur in other parts of Europe. The defining feature is a system of defensive earthworks, typically ditches cut into the hillside and a surrounding rampart; many hillforts also include timber or stone walls and wooden gateways. The enclosed areas often contain terraces and the remains of domestic structures, storage pits, and craft spaces.

The purpose of hillforts is understood to be multifaceted. They likely served as defended settlements, centers for storage and trade, symbols of status, and focal points for social or political life, rather than being solely military installations. Their hilltop locations provided defense, surveillance, and control over surrounding routes and resources. Over time, hillforts could be reused or modified, reflecting changing social and economic networks across regions.

Archaeological work has revealed diverse lifeways within hillforts, ranging from small-scale occupations to larger, more complex settlements. Excavations often yield evidence of daily life, including housing, livestock management, and varied material culture. Today, many hillforts survive as earthworks or stone remains and are protected as archaeological heritage. They remain important for understanding regional variation and social organization in Iron Age Europe.